It's time now to play one of reality TV fans' favorite games: "Heeeeyyy, I know her!"
Netflix has finally revealed the Houston cast of its smash dating show,Love is Blind — Season 5, and the group of 30 young, attractive singles look and sound totally H-Town — and are sure to be recognized by locals.
Fans can catch the Season 5 premiere — and the 30 locals — on Friday, September 22. As CultureMap previously reported, Season 5 of Love is Blind takes place primarily in Houston, mostly "in the city's urban core" with "city-centric experiences," Holly Clapham Rosenow, chief marketing officer at Houston First, told us exclusively. That means these singles should feel quite at home.
A 100-percent H-Town cast
Netflix revealed the cast via the Love is Blind Instagram page with quick interviews with cast members. At first glance, the 15 men and 15 women come off casual, down-to-earth, funny, and quite photogenic — in short, totally Houston.
Estefania, a teacher and dancer, is "pretty perfect" (she's kidding).Photo by Monty Brinton/Netflix
Here are the 30 Houston singles who are ready to mingle in Season 5:
- Aaliyah - 29, ICU Travel Nurse
- Carter - 30, Construction
- Chris - 28, Project Manager for Commercial and Retail Development
- Connor - 31, Geoscientist
- Efrain - 27, Software Sales
- Enoch - 27, Financial Advisor
- Erica - 27, Marketing Manager
- Ernesto - 32, Supply Chain Manager, Oil and Gas
- Estefania - 30, Teacher/Dancer
- Izzy - 31, Sales
- Jared “JP” - 32, Firefighter
- Jarred - 34, University Director
- Johnie - 32, Lawyer
- Josh - 32, Sales Rep
- Justice - 28, Personal Trainer
- Linda - 32, Talent Acquisition Recruiter
- Lydia - 32, Geologist
- Maris - 30, HR Specialist
- Mayra - 25, Minister
- Milton - 25, Petroleum Engineer
- Miriam - 32, Scientist
- Paige - 32, Stylist
- Renee - 32, Veterinarian
- Robert - 30, Special Education Teacher
- Shondra - 32, Flight Attendant
- Stacy - 34, Director of Operations
- Taylor - 26, Teacher
- Uche - 34, Lawyer / Entrepreneur
Their bios and occupations are a cross section of Houston's myriad industries and reflect the massive young professional talent here: many are scientists, geologists, veterinarians, lawyers, financial advisors, marketing professionals, nurses, and of course, oil and gas professionals and engineers.
NBD, geoscientist Connor says he's directionally challenged.
Photo by Monty Brinton/Netflix
Pool guys or mailmen wanted
"I'm still single because I have a mouth on me and I don't apologize about it," — Maris, 30, a human resources specialist, shares during the interviews (aren't HR types supposed to be pretty diplomatic?). Regarding her single status, Aaliyah, 29, an ICU travel nurse, directs the question to her folks: "My parents would just say, 'You need to sit your ass down somewhere so you could actually fall in love with somebody."
We're not saying 32-year-old veterinarian Renee is desperate, but she did note that she "...could date the mailman or the pool guy — or I gotta get out of the house." (Note to mailman and pool guy, step your game up: she's on TV now.)
Looks like we can expect these kinds of interesting revelations during the 10-episode run from September 22 through October 13.
For the uninitiated, Love is Blind is a romantic social experiment hosted by celeb couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey. Singles meet, court, and get to know each other — before see what the other looks like. (A concept not unfamiliar to generations of Indian couples.) The "blind" aspect of the show finds the interested men and women dating each other in small "pods" (rooms) where they chat and flirt solely through a speaker.
Adding to the intrigue and suspense: couples get engaged before they see each other and can only gaze upon each other after an accepted marriage proposal. If things go smoothly, couples live together for a month, plan the wedding, meet each others' friends and family, and eventually wed if both agree at the altar — always with varied results. Heck, who're we kidding: things can blow up spectacularly.
Belching, No. 2, and getting handsy
We can't wait to be charmed by these 30 local charmers. Consider 32-year-old flight attendant Shondra: when asked what a partner would find annoying about her, she says she uses her hands to express herself — "it's just what I do." (Hey, how else are you supposed to point to the emergency exits."
Taylor, a teacher, has a really ...'unique' bathroom habit.
Photo by Monty Brinton/Netflix
Stacy, 34, a director of operations, may annoy a partner with the fact that she burps "a lot" — but not a bro who takes pride in a beer-and-burger-induced blast. Stacy will occasionally drop a "truck driver belch."
Connor, 31, a geoscientist, claims to be "directionally challenged" — ironic, as he sort of locates things for a living. (Hey, that's what Waze is for, right, Connor?)
And how considerate is sweet Taylor, 26? The young single teacher shares her bathroom etiquette — noteworthy for anyone hosting her at their house: "I go No. 2 with the hair dryer on." (So Taylor, not to get too personal, but do you bring the hair dryer with you?)
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Love is Blind — Season 5 premieres Friday, September 22 on Netflix.
Photo by Monty Brinton/Netflix
Memo to potential partners: Stacy, a director of operations, can belch like a trucker.
